Sky High Stakes: Las Vegas Sands Breaks Ground on $8 Billion Ultra-Luxury Marina Bay Expansion

Source: Marina Bay Sands

Reported By: Matthew Kennedy

On the shimmering shores of Marina Bay, a new landmark is taking shape—one that promises to reshape the landscape of global luxury tourism. On July 15, in a groundbreaking ceremony attended by over 220 guests, Las Vegas Sands officially broke ground on a bold new chapter for Marina Bay Sands: a US$8 billion ultra-luxury resort and entertainment destination, adjacent to the integrated resort’s existing footprint.

More than an expansion, the project signals a paradigm shift for the hospitality industry—a confluence of world-class architecture, immersive entertainment, and future-forward sustainability.

Designed by Safdie Architects, the visionary studio behind the original Marina Bay Sands, the new 55-storey tower is angled at 45 degrees to capture panoramic views of Marina Bay and the Singapore Strait. Its twin wings curve outward like sails in motion, topped by the 76,000-square-foot Skyloop—a gravity-defying looped rooftop sanctuary unlike anything else in the region.

The Skyloop’s lower ellipse will be publicly accessible, with observatories, destination dining, and lush rooftop gardens, while the upper Skyloop offers hotel guests private cabanas, infinity pools, and a cantilevered wellness terrace designed for yoga, arts, and intimate gatherings.

This isn't architecture for attention. It’s architecture with intention.

The property’s 15,000-seat arena, led by design firm Populous (of Sphere Las Vegas and London’s O2 Arena fame), is poised to become Asia’s premier venue for global touring acts. Purpose-built for optimal acoustics and production flexibility, it will anchor a new cultural corridor connecting Marina Bay to Gardens by the Bay, via direct access to Bayfront MRT.

Inside the hotel podium, three floors of MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) space offer approximately 200,000 square feet for high-caliber business events, reinforcing Singapore’s position as a top-tier global destination for business tourism.

Sustainability isn’t an afterthought—it’s embedded into the blueprint. The tower will feature a self-shading façade system using high-performance glazing and internal blinds to reduce heat transfer and energy demand. Suites will include private terraces and native greenery, while public areas will be designed with energy-efficient shading, ventilation, and outdoor comfort in mind.

In line with the Sands ECO360 global strategy, construction practices include the use of low-carbon concrete, recycled steel, and an on-site waste management plan designed to divert at least 75% of construction waste from landfills.

Even the landscaping is meaningful—tree species native to Southeast Asia will be integrated throughout the property, paying tribute to Singapore’s urban biodiversity efforts.

The evening’s groundbreaking ceremony, officiated by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, co-founder Dr. Miriam Adelson, and Minister Grace Fu, also served as a cultural touchstone. Guests were treated to performances by Jasmine Sokko and Henry Lau, and a preview of Jin Ting Wan, an upcoming Cantonese concept from Marina Bay Sands’ culinary program.

To mark the milestone, Marina Bay Sands was lit in a spectacular wash of gold spanning its three towers and SkyPark—an illuminated tribute to Singapore’s SG60 celebration. A new short film by Kirsten Tan, Nothing Comes by Chance, was commissioned as part of the tribute, highlighting Singaporean artists, athletes, and changemakers including Tan Kheng Hua, Pierre Png, and Quah Zheng Wen.

With the total investment in Singapore surpassing US$15 billion since 2010, Marina Bay Sands continues to be a cornerstone of the city-state’s tourism economy. In 2024 alone, it hosted over 2,200 events, welcomed 1.2 million MICE delegates, and directly employed over 12,000 team members—92% of its procurement was spent on local businesses.